Merry Christmas friends! Christmas is just two days away, and as it is so close I can't help but think about and read the full account of Christ's birth in the Scriptures. Last year, I was 8 months pregnant and kept thinking about the laborious journey that Mary had to make to Bethlehem and then thinking about how she would give birth in a humble stable. This year I am still focused on Mary and what I can learn from her wisdom as she was the mother of the Son of God. Today I'll be sharing some of my thoughts with you.

A woman with great faith

In Luke 1:28-38 we read the account of Mary being told that she will be the mother of the Savior. "For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it according to thy word." Mary didn't know how it would be possible for her to bear this child, but she trusted in God and she became the mother of the Savior. As I read these verses this year I couldn't help but think of how great a calling that was and yet she didn't say no. She knew that with God anything was possible and she had such great faith and trust in Him.

A woman who rejoiced in the Lord

Image from Google

I feel like 2018 was a big year for me (I mean, I did have a baby and all) but I also noticed how much I complain. (I think I've always complained, I just noticed it more this year.) And as I was reading in Luke 1 (specifically verses 46-55) I was extremely humbled. I'm sure this was a trial for Mary, and yet, instead of murmuring she rejoices in the Lord. She knew that peace, joy, healing, and all good things came from God (because of the Savior.) And even though she had every reason to complain, she chose to rejoice.I want to be more like Mary and rejoice and turn to the Lord in all things!

A woman who ponders

Mary also is a great example of taking time to be still and ponder the things of the Lord. We see this happen multiple times: "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." - Luke 2:19"And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart." - Luke 2:51 These scriptures touched me simply because it shows how much Mary wanted to learn from God. She held the things that were most precious to her close to her heart and she took the time to quietly ponder and observe.

As we celebrate Christ this Christmas, I hope we can also think of Mary

There would have been no Christ without Mary. She was a virtuous and faithful young woman. Despite the challenges she faced, she remained faithful and joyful. As we approach Christmas this year, I want to be more like Mary (now and in 2019). I want to have her faith, her joy, and be like her in taking time to be still. Mary was the mother of the Savior and I feel like we can learn so much from her. She was faithful and trusting and I want to be like her in so many ways. As I pondered on what message I should share with you today, just two days before Christmas, I kept coming back to Mother Mary. I love that we are able to celebrate Christ every year at Christmas time, but I felt like this was the message I needed to share instead of simply sharing the Christmas story. I am grateful for the things that I've learned about Mary this year and I hope that we can continue to remember her and try to emulate her as well as the Savior.I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! PS if you want to focus more on the Savior this holiday and haven't seen this yet, I strongly recommend it!